Monday, July 31, 2006

Massive Melbourne Waterway Pollution Up to 850 Times

Accepted levels – But Thwaites Throws in the Towel

More damaging evidence of massive pollution in Melbourne’s waterways has emerged – at up to 850 times the accepted levels - at the very time when Environment Minister John Thwaites has effectively given up on the cleanup our polluted metropolitan rivers and creeks.

The evidence from a Melbourne Water ‘Essential Facts’ list of water readings shows the smaller rivers and creeks in metropolitan Melbourne are a filthy disgrace with many little better than sewers as indicated by the massive levels of measured faecal pollution. (The full table is attached behind this news release).

The shocking readings of E.coli organisms/100ml include, amongst others, worrying levels at:

• Andersons Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 620 and a maximum reading of 10,000;
• Darebin Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 1,030 and a maximum reading of 6,300;
• Diamond Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 360 and a maximum reading of 22,000;
• Gardiners Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 1,000 and a maximum reading of 10,000;
• Koonung Creek a 50^th percentile reading of 7800 and a maximum reading of 30,000;
• Merri Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 295 and a maximum reading of 11,000;
• Moonee Ponds Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 1,450 and a maximum reading of 11,000;
• Mullum Mullum Creek at Warrandyte a 50^th percentile reading of 290 and a maximum reading of 14,000;
• Plenty River, a 50^th percentile reading of 640 and a maximum reading of 30,000;
• Ruffy Creek in Templestowe a 50^th percentile reading of 380 and a maximum reading of 6,400;
• Watts River, a 50^th percentile reading of 315 and a maximum reading of 5,400;
• Elster Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 1,350 and a maximum reading of 5,700;
• Mile Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 1,160 and a maximum reading of 18,000;
• Balcombe Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 490 and a maximum reading of 2,400;
• Bunyip River, a 50^th percentile reading of 250 and a maximum reading of 14,000;
• Lang Lang River, a 50^th percentile reading of 430 and a maximum reading of 56,000;
• Toomuc Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 410 and a maximum reading of 21,000;
• Stony Creek, a 50^th percentile reading of 3,800 and a maximum reading of 170,000.

Many of these readings are fifty and up to 850 times the accepted levels. The safe level of E.coli pollution is accepted to be 200 organisms per 100ml of water.

The worst reading was at Stony Creek, Yarraville – 170,000 organisms/100ml.

These are appalling readings and the John Thwaites should hang his head in shame. Its about time John Thwaites took responsibility for his Government’s failure to clean up our rivers and creeks.

John Thwaites has said he doesn’t expect the Lower Yarra will ever be fit for swimming (Channels 2 and 7 on 9 July, 2006). This was not his approach a few years ago. Now after seven years of dithering and delay he is prepared to accept filthy rivers.

John Thwaites has shown he doesn’t have what it takes to clean up this mess.

The frightening readings in Melbourne’s smaller rivers and creeks will come as a shock to local communities. This is a problem that Labor must address. Labor’s belated response over recent weeks is too little, too late.

The summary readings in 2005 for the Yarra River, into which many of the metropolitan creeks and rivers flow are also worrying with massive readings reported regularly through this year.

The shameful readings for the Yarra include:

• McKenzie-King Drive, Millgrove a 50^th percentile reading of 220 and a maximum reading of 1,300;
• Don Road, Launching Place a 50^th percentile reading of 220 and a maximum reading of 4,000;
• Everard Park, Healsville a 50^th percentile reading of 240 and a maximum reading of 1,900;
• Spadonis Reserve, Coldstream a 50^th percentile reading of 210 and a maximum reading of 2,800;
• Warrandyte Road Bridge, Warrandyte, a 50^th percentile reading of 85 and a maximum reading of 14,000;
• Chandler Highway, Kew, a 50^th percentile reading of 310 and a maximum reading of 8,000;
• Princes Bridge, South Melbourne, a 50^th percentile reading of 600 and a maximum reading of 4,000;

The Auditor General’s recent report on the problem of leaking septic tanks shows Labor has failed on sewage connections and allowed massive amounts of raw sewage to leak into our rivers and waterways. No wonder there are high readings in our rivers when Labor has allowed this unacceptable pollution to continue.

After nearly seven years in government it is not good enough for Labor to look for excuses. Victorians want high standards that see our waterways, creeks and rivers cleaned up. Labor and John Thwaites are not up to the task.

MADIA CONTACT DAVID DAVIS ON 9888 6244 OR PAGER ON 9625 1403